Umile under fire

YOUR COMMENTS

Anybody who thinks that simply replacing a coach will bring post-season victories has their emotion above their logic.
- Jim Baines, Hampden, ME

To all you whiners, take your support or lack thereof and stay home. Let's remember, these are kids - not seasoned pros. They work diligently to balance practices, games and college courses. You win some; you lose some. Let's face it, there's no better joy than seeing the fish sailing across the ice, regardless of the outcome of the game.
Instead of beating up on Umile, your time would be better spent focusing on things that really matter - like the mess our economy is in. UNH hockey provides a great diversion if only for a couple hours at a time. GO WILDCATS!!
- Walter, Dover

I've allways thought that Dick Umile has done the best that he can but when it comes down to the end of the season to the games that mean the most hes a real let down. He doesnt push them hard enough. I think if the men's team had a coach like Brian Mccloskey (the wemons coach) they would be doing much beter, its kinda sad when the wemons team is allways beter than the mens team because i know that the mens team could be doing alot beter. So i say OUT WITH UMILE AND IN WITH MCCLOSKEY!!!
p.s.-i will miss you Greg Collins<333 i love youu:D!!!!!!
- Brittney Pelletier, lsomersworth NH

Remember the last time we fired a coach in NH? Bruce Boudreau? Whatever happened to him?
- Pete, Bristol NH

Sorry, but there is way too much emphasis on sports. Why on earth is the state of New Hampshire paying someone in excess of $300,000 a year to yell at people? That's great front page press.

Let's shovel that money to people who make a difference. Police, Fire , Nursing staff, Librarians, town workers , EMT, emergency responders, VHA, boy's club, girl's club. And On and on...

This guy should have a fish thrown at him for ripping off our tax dollars for so many years. If it looks like a fish, swims like a fish and SMELLS like a fish... You just might be a hockey coach.

And to all of you paying $46 plus $6 convenience to Tricky Master and $2 venue fees to see this display tomorrow, I have one word.... SUCKERS!!!!!

G.
- Goldie, Bedford

The coaching staff and hockey program do very well with what they have to work with, don’t forget folks UNH is SEVERELY underfunded, I believe UNH is in the bottom 10% throughout the country in state funding, the last time I recall we were 49 or 50th, this doesn't help with recruiting, we are lucky to get the talent we do here. I am sure that it bothers the coaching staff more than it does the fans that they haven't won the NCAA championship and don’t forget about the players, these players give it their all to win because they don’t get paid, they have to make a name for themselves and hard work and dedication goes further than winning a title; UNH is CONSISTENT about getting into the post-season; that is important, would the UNH faithless like one championship and never appear in the post-season again? Yes it can be frustrating at times to be a UNH fan, just like being a Red Sox, Celtics, and Bruins fan but you don’t give up, you cheer your team on year after year and one day it will happen and it will happen under Coach Umile. The Union Leader should be ashamed of itself for printing this article before the game is played, you're supposed to pump up the team and not put them down. I am sure you can sell papers with other stories than having to down the home team.
- Marcie, Durham

The large ice surface at the Whit gives the team an advantage during the regular season when the intensity of the play is not so great (the UNH players have a bit more time to pass and are accustomed to use that time to their advantage). Practicing on it then playing on an NHL sized surface during intense playoff hockey when the checking is closer and the play tighter causes mis-timing as the players are accustomed to having a bit more time to make a play on their normal practice rink.

The size of the home rink should be rebuilt to NHL specs.

As for the coach, the late great Charlie Holt was up against the same problem, Jack Parker and Jerry York, among others. Although Umile is a good coach, he is no Jack Parker. When I was at UNH players from the boston area had a choice to play either at UNH or BU. Some chose BU based on the Beanpot and Parker's success in playoff hockey. Others chose UNH because of Charlie, his recruiters, and the fact that the hockey program was number one, often.
- Dean, Londonderry

Umile is only part of the problem. Borek and Lassonde play a big role in the recruiting process. A process that needs a complete overhaul. Lassonde (you have a better chance of winning the lottery than seeing Lassonde at a rink scouting)loves the players from the Great White North and fails to recognize the talent right under his own nose. Borek spends more time eating/socializing in the coaches lounge at rinks and fails to land the players UNH needs to be successful. A clean sweep is what is needed. New coach with new ideas and a solid recruiting plan should be put in place. Right Marty? Marty? Are you there.........?
- Shawn, stratham

I had a chance to watch UNH, when they played my fighting sioux in Grand Forks last year. Class act all the way including and because of coach Umile. We too experience the same shortsighted fan reaction the minute the team hits a tough patch. The fire Hakstol thread was alive and well in Grand Forks the first half of the year when the sioux were under .500. I'm jacked for the game tomorrow because it is tourney time. And by the way GO SIOUX!!!
- DOUGLAS TRENGEN, BOTTINEAU N.D.

So who's the answer is what I always ask these folks......

Does anyone honestly believe that there is an even playing field when recruiting against the likes of BC, BU, Notre Dame, Michigan, Minnesota, North Dakota, Wisconsin, etc? Dick gets solid talent to Durham and year after year wins 20 games with one of the stronger schedules nation wide. Would it be nice to see the team win it all? Sure. Will it ever happen under any coach in Durham. Not likely.
- Colin, Portsmouth

From the piece--

"Besides making it to eight straight NCAAs, the Wildcats are playing in the tournament for the 12th time in the last 13 years."

All of you UNH/Umile haters, take a real good look at that statement. If I may break it down, this means that your UNH Wildcats have at the very least been one of the top 16 hockey teams in the country 12 of the last 13 years.

That's a pretty consistent winning record if you ask me, and it's record that every fan of UNH hockey should be very proud of.

I wish Coach Umile and the boys nothing but the best tomorrow against North Dakota!
- Brian, Concord

You people need to relax - opinions here are welcome. No one is denying that Umile is not a great coach; however for a guy who gets paid $300,000 a year to coach a college sport should win more when it counts - end of season - Hockey East and NCAA's. Go CATS!
- Nick A, Barrington

Marty fails to realize one other significant reason for the fans frustration - and it has NOTHING to do with Umile or the on-ice performance. For years, he has forced season ticket holders to buy 2 reg season games in Manchester, which many despise. In addition, he has aggressively raised prices for years to prices that are near the top of all of college hockey, and while UNH is a great program, it still should not be considered among the elite. By doing this, he has basically eroded the season ticket waiting list from "Patriots-esque" in the late 90's (or so) to no waiting list now, which is also a good gauge of the waning fan interest. Pathetic. Marty is just very out of touch with reality. Does anyone think Marty will follow the national trend for next season and actually LOWER ticket prices due to the difficult economy? Doubtful.
- J Smith, Durham, NH

First of all Umile is a great coach. The coach of any school and I mean any, who is is div. 1 and who consistently plays the kind of hockey UNH does is remarkable. So we don't always win the "Big one"? We are always in the top ranked teams in the polls and always get a playoff bid. The experts see the talent of the team (read players AND coach) and recognize it! As far as his salary goes...so what? What else do we have in this state sports-wise to place us in the national spotlight? You get what you pay for.
- Paul, Derry

Geez, I'm glad we've been set straight by Mssrs. Parker and Cronin, I really wasn't aware we couldn't have an opinion without being "ignorant". Thanks for setting me and other UNH rooters straight.
- brian, nottingham

This is a useless article for the day before the NCAA's. For all you UNH fans out there, don't forget about 1998. UNH had a horrible ending to the year but did not accept defeat and ended up knocking off BU in the final on a short handed goal to advance to the Frozen Four. If i recall the was a shocking upset for top seeded BU. Now is not the time to bash Umile, let them play and then decide.
- Dave, Manchester

O.K. Sparky so you want one or two more NCAA wins to satisfy your thirst. In order to play on the big stage you must first qualify to play. Dick has been there done that for 8 straight seasons. Home ice for the Quarters been there done that for 13 straight seasons. 20 game wins in a season ditto for 12 in a row. If you can provide me with a potential coach who has a proven record of success that gives a higher probability of reaching these records plus the 2 or 3 more wins on the national stage you've got my address. Forward them immediately. Oh, by the way winning in HE is as most people in the know will tell you ain't that easy.
- Dave Houle, Bedford, NH 03110

It's easy for bloggers to be critics. When you're faceless, it's easy to insult and criticize. The UNH hockey program has had a great winning tradition. And right now, its about a bunch of hardworking kids who now find themselves in the top 16 nationally. So I don't much care about those who are "frustrated" with the program and Coach Umile. Put your money where your mouth is and get to the games this weekend and support the program. By the way, I'm picking UNH over ND, 3-2. Go CATS!!
- Mike, Arlington, VA

I'm a Northeastern alum and we're finally in our first NCAA tourney in fifteen years. Dick Umile has done an outstanding job with UNH and I hope we have a coach who will be as consistant as Coach Umile in Greg Cronin. Hockey East is the toughest and most competitive league in the country. Night in and night out it's a war just check scores of the games played.
I mentioned to Coach Cronin last October after being given a tour of the Whitt. downstairs lockerroom area, the All American pictures etc. used as recruiting tools and he told me NU hopes to do the same thing.
We had a coach Bruce Crowder who almost destroyed our program and who some UNH people hoped would coach the Wildcats someday. Well you lucked out he never did.
Yes Umile, Cronin, York, Parker, Donato, Cahoon, MacDonald are Boston guys part of a pretty good coaching club if you ask me.

UNH 6 N. DAKOTA 3.
- Dave Elliott, Hooksett

One word: "Umiliated!"
- Seth Connors, Manchester, Nh

As a proud alum, I have been frustrated with the team's recent string of playoff failure. My concern has been that they have solid teams that don't meet expectations. Last year, they had a three-goal lead against Boston College in the NCAA tournament, only to squander that and lost. This year, the worst games I've seen them play since graduating were the two 1-0 losses (to Maine and BC), and the loss to Merrimack. Those were uninspired, sloppy and listless games, which can be partially pinned on coaching.

That said, for all that he has done for the program, Coach Umile deserves all the benefit of the doubt in addressing these issues. Those teams in 1999 and 2003 were talent-laden, but were also scrappy and had leaders with incredible heart. I don't think that element exists with this year's team. Maybe there needs to an effort to recruit more "locker room leaders" on this team.
- Mark, Manchester

The B.U. and Northeastern coaches are on Umile's bandwagon, they belong to the same club.
UNH did not show up and play in the Frozen Four in Buffalo or at Ohio State, they simply were not prepared, they were embarrassed. Umile and his gravy traom fpr not producing has got to stop.
- Bob Berube, Fort Lauderdale

The fact that UNH has made it to the NCAA tournament 8 years in a row speaks volume for this program. UNH has not had much success however at the Verizon Center, which I believe is a big reason many critics have become so vocal. Losing to inferior competion like Notredame, Miami of Ohio, Michigan State and Denver over the past 4 years clearly means Umile must go... PLEASE!!!! We have had some great players come through UNH; Darren Haydar, Ty Conklin, Colin Hemingway, Jason Krog, Daniel Winnik, Jacob Micflikier and James van Riemsdyk to name just a few. Winning a national title is not easy folks. How long did it take the Red Sox. Someday soon, I am confident it will happen. In the meantime, support your local team. Go Cats!!!!
- Mike R, Antrim

The success of the UNH hockey program (both men & women) cannot be denied! It's still as good as it gets. As a fan for over 30 years, I'm still cheering them on & Coach Umile gets my support. C'mon now & beat NoDak!
- g, Laconia

It is great UNH has made the tourney so many years in a row although I think in recent years other teams deserved it more. Even this year BC would probably go further than UNH.

I am a big UNH hockey fan but these one-and-dones are getting frustrating and I'll be shocked if they beat ND tomorrow.

ND - 6
UNH - 2
- patrick, nashua

SHAME ON THE UNION LEADER FOR RUNNING A PIECE LIKE THIS AT A TIME LIKE THIS... I think that three-quarters of this "mass criticism" is drummed up by media outlets trying to sell newspapers and taking what a few yahoos say on a blog and make a news story out of it. The Union Leader did a GREAT Northeast Regional preview, but this feature just brings everyone down a negative path heading into what is typically a fantastic weekend of hockey. I think if you asked BC, Minnesota, Wisconsin and Colorado College where they would rather be this weekend and I'm sure Manchester would sound pretty good. Anyone that follows New Hampshire sports knows what Umile has done is nothing short of amazing and it speaks to the type of program he has. I think its high time the U.L. defends a program that has helped it sell newspapers for 19 NCAA appearances including eight straight. Go Wildcats.
- Peter, Manchester, NH

It is amazing to me the amount of people that don't have a clue about the sport and the proper ways to deal with the players, They are kids who play their hearts out for a chance of a life time, a championship. From what I know, Dick Umile is a gentleman and treats his players as gentleman and with utmost respect for the sport. How easy it is to forget, people called for a few short years ago the release of the Manchester Mornachs coach and it happened. Low and behold he fines a job with the Hershy Bears and after that, everytime they played us, they cleaned our clocks and than to add insult to injury he wins the the Calder Cup and brings it back to Manchester to show his doubters he was no fluke. Now he is a head coach in the National Hockey League, and I might add a darn good coach. So to all you people that think you know more than anyone else, be careful what you wish for, because we could be spending our years down the road out of the playoffs year after year. Winning a championship isn't everything, teaching and recruiting the best young men you can to attend UNH is.
- Herb, Manchester N.H.

I have spoken with some people who feel Coach Umile should be fired. It usually comes from somebody who tells me the score of the game was "4 to 6". Putting it adequately, they are amateurish sports fans, who have probably never played a sport in their entire existence… Say the word "one” That’s how many teams claim a championship each year, "One". You UNH fans are soooo spoiled. Look at Northeaster, their first playoff in how many years and they are all fired up!.. All you can do as a coach, player and even a fan is hope for a chance to win, for a shot at an NCAA championship. Coach Umile does this every year!... On a personal note, I'm a police officer in Durham and the kids Coach Umile brings into UNH are good kids, who we almost never deal with. Find that at other programs!
- J, durham